Retail point-of-transaction system, program products, and related methods to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a transaction using electronic coupons

ABSTRACT

Retail point-of-transaction systems, program products, and related computer implemented methods to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a retail sales point-of-sale transaction which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons is provided. The retail point-of-sale system can include a computer having memory and configured to facilitate one or more transactions each of which include the use of one or more electronic coupons through a retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, the computer. The computer can also include a set of instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to redeem one or more electronic coupons for one or more retail transactions responsive to a customized set of identification data provided by the computer responsive to a data profile derived from a set of personal data of at least one of a plurality of remotely positioned users.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/359,927, filed on Jan.26, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,208, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/929,592, filed on Oct. 30, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,516,886, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/394,314, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,357,312, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/130,765, filed on May 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,087,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/052,405,filed Jan. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,821, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/664,205,filed on Sep. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,029, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/618,407,filed on Jul. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,462, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/087,193, filed on May 29,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,811 all incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an improvement for the use ofmagnetic striping on devices such as credit cards and the like, and inparticular, but not by way of any limitation, to a methodology andimproved magnetic stripe card which is capable of encoding additionalinformation other than that originally presented on the card,particularly identification and personal data.

2. Description of the Related Art

In today's electronic commerce there has been a proliferation in the useof various types of credit, debit, identification, and other types ofauthorization cards. For example, an average individual is likely tocarry a driver's license, several credit and/or debit cards, anidentification card for access to a health club, an identification cardto gain access to a place of employment and an access card to gain entryinto a parking garage, among others. Furthermore, with advances inelectronic commerce, smart cards are likely to replace paper and coinmoney resulting in an additional card for consumers to carry. Each ofthese cards typically incorporate a magnetic stripe or bar code tofacilitate easy recognition of the card and to store various types ofdata. Although the use of these cards allow for easy and efficientelectronic commerce, the number of such cards quickly becomes cumbersomeand many individuals find carrying the large number of cardsinconvenient.

Prior art magnetic stripe credit cards, and the like, have variouslimitations. For example, virtually all the prerecorded magnetic stripecards that are currently in use are used for a single purpose. Forexample, a credit card or an identity card is generally used for justthat purpose alone. In many instances, owners and users of these type ofcards need to present several cards in order to maximize or complete agiven transaction. Specifically, a discount card, such as is used incertain supermarkets, as well as the credit card to make the purchase,must be both presented so as to obtain the discount.

Various solutions such as providing a sticker which can be placed on acredit card or the like have been suggested, however, these defeat thepurpose of having an increased level of automation for check outs, forexample.

There are many instances whereby an individual, consumer, entity,organization, etc., would find it desirable to provide others with asecure, customized set of identification data that would facilitate atransaction, facilitate an event of a specific type, or both.Additionally, the receiver of the data for the transaction may wish toprovide complimenting and supplemental data back to the originator ofthe transaction with all such transactions being done in a digitizedformat to be interpreted, manipulated, and/or displayed on point-of-saletransaction (POS) devices/computers both at the POS and remotely.Additionally, the process of initializing this secure transaction wouldbe more flexible if the acceptors of the transaction could utilize amagnetic stripe card that could combine a unique identifying code withthe standard ISO data from other completely different financial or othercard's magnetically striped data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention provide asolution, which is both cost efficient and time efficient, and whichallows the use of conventional types of magnetic stripe readers whichare currently being used in most retail establishments, One embodimentof the present invention allows for a single swipe of the card throughthe magnetic stripe reader to provide all the identification informationin one pass. This can be accomplished by recording onto the conventionalmagnetic stripe of the credit card, the desired data from multiple cardsand other sources which are necessary to complete a chosen transaction.In particular, a secure, customized set of identification data may beused to facilitate a transaction, facilitate an event of a specifictype, or both,

Embodiments of the present invention employ a system and method forproviding a customized set of identification data to facilitate atransaction, and apparatus for providing additional information onto themagnetic stripe of a card, and for consolidating multiple informationfrom multiple cards as well as other sources onto the magnetic stripecard. In order to do so, for example, a wallet consolidator, such asthat shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,811 by Gangi titled “WalletConsolidator,” can be employed. Although other types of readers andwriters could be used to generate this data, this invention should in noway be considered to be limited to the use of any specific walletconsolidator or other means such as is mentioned above. Specifically, adevice such as, for example, a wallet consolidator, can be used in whichthe magnetic stripe information from multiple credit cards can be readfrom what is generally the commonly used three IS 0/8711 tracks that arepresent on the card. However, it should be noted that in many types ofcredit cards one or more of these tracks may have no data provided onthe card, What can then be accomplished is the reading of multipletracks from multiple cards, storing this all in memory, and thenrewriting the information to either a blank card or to the existing cardafter erasing the information along with, if necessary, writingadditional “foreign” data onto the card. In another embodiment it may bepossible to write the additional foreign data on an existing cardwithout an erasure and re-writing of the data; however, this is not thepreferred mode of operation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a secure,customized set of personal identification data can be placed at the endof any data, which was originally on the track or on an empty track. Itmay also be placed at any other position that the reading software in apoint-of-sale (POS) or other point-of-transaction (POT) type terminalwould have or would find to be ideal. This could also be at the front ofa track, for example, or embedded within the track. The data of eachtrack is formatted with a start sentinel character, followed by the dataitself, followed by a stop sentinel. This data is then used tofacilitate a transaction, facilitate an event of a specific type, orboth. Conventional magnetic swipe readers look for the start or stopsentinel to indicate that a body of data follows. It should be noted,however, that some readers will read the data irrespective of which waythe card is swiped through the reader. The electronic circuitry in thesetypes of readers detect the direction of the swipe by noting whether astart or stop sentinel is received first. This means that foreign dataplaced after the stop sentinel will not be recognized if it is notbracketed by standard start and stop sentinels.

The ISO-8711 standard specifies at least two machine control codes foreach type of track. Specifically, the types of tracks can be, forexample, 75 or 210 bpi. These control codes can be used to bracket theforeign data, It would then be possible to design a reader that willlook for data bracketed by the special control codes and/or designsoftware that will look for the data bracketed by these special controlcodes after a standard stop sentinel. Foreign data, such as couponinformation, a discount card number, or the like, may be written in anytrack that was originally unused, or even if used, may be written aftera stop sentinel, and if that foreign data is bracketed by these specialcontrol codes, the foreign data will not be read by standard magneticswipe readers, and therefore, will be ignored. However, special readersin the software at the host computer for the transaction can look forthese special control codes and then confine the foreign data andorganize it in a manner acceptable for multiple purposes in theindividual cards. This makes it possible to have additional informationplaced on the magnetic stripe card, which would not be read byconventional readers in the field, but would be obtainable fromspecialized readers,

Embodiments of the present invention can include a retail point-of-salesystem to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitatea retail sales point-of-sale transaction. The retail point-of-salesystem, for example, can include a plurality of retail salespoint-of-sale terminals, one or more retail system computers, a databaseaccessible by the one or more retail system computers, and a programproduct stored in the memory of the one or more retail system computers.The plurality of retail sales point-of-sale terminals can be positioned,for instance, at one or more retail locations. According to anembodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of retailsales point-of-sale terminals can be positioned to accept purchasetransactions from purchasers of goods by interaction with one or moreretail sales point-of-sale terminals. Each of the plurality of retailsales point-of-sale terminals, can for example, have a displayassociated with the retail sales point-of-sale terminal to at leastvisually display data to one or more of a plurality of users. The one ormore retail system computers, for instance, can each have a memory. Alsoaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or moreretail system computers can be positioned, for example, to provide datato and from each of the plurality of remotely positioned retail salespoint-of-sale terminals and at least one remotely positioned computerassociated with a provider of components of data profiles to therebyfacilitate one or more point-of-sale transactions through each of theplurality of remotely positioned retail sales point-of-sale terminals.

The database accessible by the one or more retail computers, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, can have stored therein aplurality of personal control IDs where each personal control ID isassociated with a different one of a plurality of remotely positionedusers and a plurality of sets of personal data. Each set of personaldata, for example, can include components of data profiles provided byproviders of components of data profiles and can be associated with acorresponding different one or more of the plurality of remotelypositioned users. According to an embodiment of the present invention,one or more data profiles can be derived from, and can be defined by, atleast a portion of each of the plurality of sets of personal data andcan be associated with a respective one of the plurality of personalcontrol IDs and one or more provider IDs. The one or more data profiles,can for example, be stored in the database so that the one of theplurality of remotely positioned users associated with the respectiveone of the plurality of personal control IDs can selectivelypredetermine the contents of the data profile.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the computerprogram product stored in the memory of the one or more retail systemcomputers can include, for example, instructions that when executed bythe one or more retail system computers cause the one or more retailsystem computers to perform the operations of: receiving a request forat least one of the plurality of data profiles associated with one ofthe plurality of remotely positioned users from at least one of theplurality of retail sales point-of-sale terminals remote from andpositioned to provide data to and from the one or more retail systemcomputers; providing a customized set of identification data responsiveto the request and based on a data profile to facilitate one or moreretail point-of-sale transactions through one or more of the pluralityof retail sales point-of-sale transaction terminals; and verifying atleast a portion of the customized set of identification data receivedresponsive to a personal control ID of the one of the plurality ofremotely positioned users being entered through one of the plurality ofretail point-of-sale transaction terminals prior to completing the oneor more retail point-of-sale transactions. The request for at least oneof the plurality of data profiles, for example, can include both apersonal control ID of the respective user and one of one or moreprovider IDs where each of the one or more provider IDs is associatedwith one of, or both, a retail merchant or retail service provider or atleast one provider of components of data profiles.

Embodiments in the present invention can also include a system which canprovide a customized set of identification data to facilitate atransaction. For example, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a system can include a server configured to store a pluralityof sets of personal data and a plurality of personal control IDsassociated with a respective different person and a respective set ofpersonal data entered into the server and controlled by the respectivedifferent person via the Internet or via a point-of-transaction andconfigured to store a data profile derived from the set of personal dataassociated with the personal control ID identifying a selected differentperson and assembled together by the selected different person for useby a selected one of one or more providers identified by a respectiveprovider ID. The system can also include a data processor remote fromand in communication with the server, and a terminal positioned at apoint-of-sale or other point-of-transaction and in communication withthe data processor. The data processor can be configured to transmit orotherwise send to the server the personal control ID identifying theselected different person and the provider ID identifying the selectedprovider. The terminal is adapted to couple to an ID instrument via adata communication link to receive from the ID instrument the personalcontrol ID identifying the selected different person, and to send thepersonal control ID identifying the selected different person to thedata processor. The server can be correspondingly further configured toretrieve from the plurality of sets of personal data, the data profilederived from the set of personal data associated with the personalcontrol ID identifying the selected different person; and can beconfigured to transmit or otherwise send to the data processor the dataprofile for use by the selected provider identified by the provider ID.An output device can be connected to the data processor and/or terminalto receive from or through the data processor the data profile receivedfrom the server and to output the data profile to the selected providerto thereby verify the personal control ID as being associated with auser of the personal control ID at the point-of-sale or otherpoint-of-transaction prior to proceeding with a transaction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system caninclude a point-of-transaction (POT) terminal adapted to couple to an IDinstrument via a data communication link to receive from the IDinstrument a personal control ID identifying a selected different personand to send the personal control ID identifying the selected differentperson. The system can include a server configured to store a pluralityof personal control IDs and a plurality of sets of personal data enteredinto the server and controlled by each respective different person viathe Internet or via a point-of-transaction, and configured to store adata profile derived from a set of personal data associated with thepersonal control ID identifying the selected different person andassembled together by the selected different person for use by aselected one of one or more providers identified by a provider ID. Theserver also can be configured to retrieve from the plurality of sets ofpersonal data the data profile derived from the set of personal dataassociated with the personal control ID identifying the selecteddifferent person, and configured to send the data profile for use by theselected provider identified by the provider ID. The system can alsoinclude an output device. The output device can be configured to receiveat least a portion of the data profile sent from the server andconfigured to output the data profile to the selected provider tothereby verify the personal control ID as being associated with a userof the personal control ID at the point-of-transaction prior toproceeding with a transaction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system caninclude a computer having memory, a database in communication with thecomputer to store a plurality of personal control IDs and a plurality ofsets of personal data, and program product stored in the memory of thecomputer. The program product can include instructions to perform theoperations of receiving a set of personal data from a remotelypositioned user, requesting and receiving a personal control ID from theuser to associate with a set of personal data, storing the personalcontrol ID and the set of personal data in the database, receiving froma point-of-transaction terminal or associated data processor a requestfor at least a portion of the set of personal data of the user, andproviding a customized set of identification data based on a dataprofile derived from the set of personal data of the user for use by theprovider identified by the provider ID.

Embodiments of the present invention also include methods for providinga customized set of identification data to facilitate a transaction. Forexample, a method for providing a customized set of identification datato facilitate a transaction can include receiving a set of personal datafrom the user, receiving a personal control ID from a user to associatewith the set of personal data, storing the personal control ID and theset of personal data in a database, and loading an ID instrument withthe personal control ID and transaction data. The method can alsoinclude acquiring a personal control ID of the user from the IDinstrument, for example, at a point-of-sale or otherpoint-of-transaction, and submitting a request for at least a portion ofa set of personal data of the user, along with both the personal controlID of the user and a provider ID of a provider, to a remote computer incommunication with the database, and deriving a data profile from theset of personal data of the user for use by the provider identified bythe provider ID responsive to the personal control ID and the providerID. The method can also include providing a customized set ofidentification data, based on the data profile, for use by the provideridentified by the provider ID, for example, to identify the user. Themethod can further include generating incentives to the user for makingfuture purchases responsive to receipt of the set of personal datarelated to the personal control ID. The incentives can include, forexample, a coupon or a discount offer. Changes, updates, and additionsto the data profile can also be received from providers of components ofdata profiles and processed accordingly.

According to another embodiment of a method for providing a customizedset of identification data to facilitate a transaction, the method caninclude acquiring a personal control ID of a user from an ID instrument,and submitting a request to a computer for at least a portion of a setof personal data of the user along with both the personal control ID ofthe user and a provider ID of a provider. The personal control ID isassociated with the set of personal data of the user, and the providerID is associated with the provider. The method also includes providing acustomized set of identification data for use by the provider identifiedby the provider ID to identify the user, the customized set ofidentification data based on a data profile derived from the set ofpersonal data of the user.

According to another embodiment of a method for providing a customizedset of identification data to facilitate a transaction, the method caninclude receiving a set of personal data of a user defining usercredentials to add the user to a user network, associating a personalcontrol ID with the user credentials, and deriving a data profile fromthe user credentials for use by a provider to thereby provide acustomized set of identification data to the provider. The method canalso include acquiring the personal control ID of the user from an IDinstrument, identifying the personal control ID as that of the userresponsive to the personal control ID to thereby confirm that the useris a member of the user network, and providing a customized set ofidentification data to a transaction site operator associated with theprovider responsive to the identification. The customized set ofidentification data can be based on the data profile associated with theprovider. The method can further include authorizing completion of atransaction by the transaction site operator associated with theprovider responsive to the customized set of identification data.Advantageously, the customized set of identification data can includeuser identification information, e.g., driver's license, scannedpersonal image, etc., provided to allow visual authentication of theuser by the transaction site operator. Accordingly, the step ofauthorizing completion of a transaction can include the steps ofconfirming by the transaction site operator that the user is the userassociated with the personal control ID, and manipulating a peripheraldevice associated with the point of transaction, responsive to theprovided user identification information and the customized set ofidentification data,

According to an embodiment of the method for providing a customized setof identification data to facilitate a transaction, the method caninclude providing credentials to a first user by an ID provider, storingthe credentials in the memory of a first ID instrument, and forwardingthe credentials to a second ID instrument in the possession of a seconduser to thereby allow for receipt of data otherwise stored on the firstID instrument to enable transaction data accessible to the first IDinstrument for use by the second user. The forwarding can be directlybetween ID instruments or indirectly over a communication network suchas, for example, through a central server.

Embodiments of the present invention can also include a computerreadable medium that is readable by a computer providing a customizedset of identification data to-facilitate a transaction. For example, acomputer readable medium can include a set of instructions that, whenexecuted by the computer, cause the computer to perform the operationsof receiving a set of personal data from a remotely positioned user,receiving a personal control ID from the user to associate with the setof personal data, associating and storing the personal control ID andthe set of personal data in a database in communication with thecomputer, and sending the personal control ID and/or personal data viathe Internet or a point-of-transaction to load on an ID instrument. Theinstructions can also include those to perform the operation of derivinga data profile from the set of personal data of the user responsive tothe personal control ID and a provider ID. The instructions can alsoinclude those to perform the operation of receiving a request for atleast a portion of the set of personal data of the user along with boththe personal control ID of the user and the provider ID of a providerfrom a requester, e.g., point-of-sale terminal or a point-of-transactionterminal, or a data processor in communication with the computer and thepoint-of-sale terminal or other point-of-transaction terminal. Theinstructions can further include those to perform the operation ofproviding the requester customized data responsive to receiving thepersonal control ID of the user and the provider ID of the providerand/or the data profile, for use by the provider, for example, inidentifying the user, verifying the identity of the user, and/orsupplementing additional personal data information beyond that stored onan ID instrument.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the computerreadable medium can include a set of instructions that, when executed bythe computer, cause the computer to perform the operations of receivinga set of personal data of a user defining user credentials to add theuser to a user network, associating a personal control ID with the usercredentials, deriving a data profile from the user credentials for useby a provider to thereby provide a customized set of identification datato the provider, receiving the personal control ID of the user from anID instrument, identifying the user as a member of the user networkresponsive to the personal control ID, and providing the customized setof identification data to the provider. Advantageously, the operation ofderiving the data profile from the user credentials can includeassociating user credentials from a plurality of ID providers with usercredentials provided by a single provider. Additionally, the customizedset of identification data can include indicia that the user presentingthe ID instrument is a member of the user network. Such indicia can bereadily used by a provider's point-of-transaction terminal (machine oroperator) as a flag to determine if the user is authorized access to theperipheral device associated with the point-of-transaction terminal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computerreadable medium that is readable by at least one processor, e.g.,associated with a server, ID provider, and/or one or more ID instrumentprocessors, can include a set of instructions that, when executed by theat least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform theoperations of providing credentials to a first user by an ID providerand storing the credentials in the memory of a first ID instrument tothereby facilitate a transaction at a point-of-sale or otherpoint-of-transaction. Additionally, the instructions can include thoseto perform the operation of forwarding the credentials to a second IDinstrument in the possession of a second user either directly from thefirst user or from a central computer to thereby allow for receipt ofdata otherwise stored on, or accessible to, the first ID instrument.Such credentials can advantageously allow the second user, e.g., afamily member, to have, for example, access to financial instrumentsowned by the first user such as, e.g., a credit card, debit card, orbank account.

Embodiments of the present invention can allow one personal control IDor set of access credentials to access other secure personal dataincluding other credentials associated with one or more providers ofsuch IDs/credentials. For example, a loyalty card issued by a retailsales provider can be used to access a major credit card provided by acredit card provider. A list of devices by provider/location and thedate and time to be activated/deactivated can be maintained and linkedwith a personal control ID or set of credentials to allow accessthereto. Examples of such devices can include a door, turnstile, gate toa secure location for events, visitor or member admittance, and securitydoors. Other such devices can include automatic teller machines or otherself-service devices that require identification. Such activation can beauthorized by use of ID instruments that incorporate a readable storagemedium such as, for example, those employing RFID, RF, magnetic stripe,bar-code, optical, audio, and/or IR technology in concert with enableddevices such as, for example, a cell phone or PDA. For example, throughuse of the system and methods disclosed herein, a driver's licensehaving a magnetic strip or RFID tag can be used to activate an on-siteperipheral device such as, for example, a gasoline pump lock or securitygate. Advantageously, this process can be utilized via any of thepreviously registered profile attributes, cards, and/or data registeredby the owner of the profile (credentials).

Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention allow for sharingof a personal control ID or set of credentials by the owner of thecredentials with another user to allow access by the other user to suchcredentials. For example, a parent can provide a child the parent'spersonal control ID to allow the child to access the parent's credit ordebit card account, negating any need to actually send currency to thechild, such as during an emergency, or allow the child access to a“members only” facility such as the parent's recreation or fitnesscenter. Embodiments of the present invention also provide for loggingrecognition events to thereby track the presentation/usage ofidentification data geographically and with a timestamp, Embodiments ofthe present invention also allow for the creation and/or assignment ofmultiple personal control IDs to be associated with each set of personaldata of a different user. Embodiments of the present invention alsoprovide for using a combination of the subscriber identity module (SIM)ID number of the ID instrument, registered electronic signature of thevarious electrical components of the ID instrument, or other digitizedfirmware or data unique to the specific ID instrument as accessidentification to the set of personal data of the respective differentuser.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can include, forinstance, a retail point-of-transaction system to provide a customizedset of identification data to facilitate a retail transaction. Such aretail transaction, for instance, can include the use of one or moreelectronic coupons. Accordingly, a retail point-of-transaction systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer having memory and configured to interface with a plurality ofremotely positioned users and at least one remotely positioned providerof components of data profiles to facilitate one or more transactionsthrough a retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote fromthe computer. Each of the one or more transactions facilitated by suchan exemplary system can include, for instance, the use of one or moreelectronic coupons. The exemplary retail point-of-transaction system canadditionally include a database accessible by the computer to store aplurality of personal control IDs and a plurality of sets of personaldata-each set of personal data associated with a corresponding differentone or more of the plurality of remotely positioned users and includingcoupon data. Moreover, such an exemplary retail point-of-transactionsystem can further include a set of instructions stored in the memory ofthe computer than when executed causes the computer to perform one ormore operations.

The one or more operations can include, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the operations of receiving a setof personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positionedusers, receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality ofremotely positioned users. to associate with the respective set ofpersonal data and an ID instrument associated with the at least one ofthe plurality of users, and storing the personal control ID and therespective set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotelypositioned users in the database. The set of personal data can include,by way of example, coupon data associated with the one or moreelectronic coupons adapted to be redeemable by at least one of theplurality of users at a point-of-transaction.

Additionally, the set of instructions, when executed by the computer,can further cause the computer to perform the operations of receiving arequest, responsive to when the retail point-of-transaction terminal iscoupled via a first data communication link to the ID instrumentassociated with the at least one of the plurality of users, for at leasta portion of the set of personal data of the at least one of theplurality of remotely positioned users from the retailpoint-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from and adapted to bein communication with the computer, and providing a customized set ofidentification data responsive to a data profile derived from the set ofpersonal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotelypositioned users to facilitate one or more retail transactions, whichincludes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the retailpoint-of-transaction terminal. Such a request for at least a portion ofthe set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality ofremotely positioned users can include, for example, both the personalcontrol ID of the respective user and a provider ID. A provider ID, forinstance, can be associated with one of, or both, a merchant or serviceprovider or at least one provider of components of data profiles.

The set of instructions, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, can also, when executed by the computer, cause thecomputer to perform the operations of receiving, via a datacommunications link, such as, for example, the Internet, one or morecoupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users atthe retail point-of-transaction terminal, and redeeming, responsive tothe customized set of identification data and the coupon data associatedtherewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more retailtransactions. Moreover, according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, at least a portion of the coupon data can bebeneficially associated with the at least one provider of components ofdata profiles. Accordingly, the set of instructions, when executed bythe computer, can further cause the computer, for example, to performthe operations of receiving user credentials from a provider of at leastone component of the data profile, receiving coupon data from one ormore providers of components of data profiles, associating the usercredentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personalcontrol ID, and processing changes, updates, and additions to the usercredentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised usercredentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale orpoint-of-transaction ready form.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also include, by wayof example, a computer implemented method to provide a customized set ofidentification data to thereby facilitate a retail transaction at aretail point-of-transaction terminal. Such an exemplary computerimplemented method can include the steps of receiving a set of personaldata from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users via a firstdata communication link and receiving a personal control ID from each ofthe plurality of remotely positioned users via a second datacommunication link to associate with the respective set of personal dataand an ID instrument associated with the at least one of the pluralityof users.

An exemplary computer implemented method according to an embodiment ofthe present invention can additionally include the steps of deriving,via the computer, a data profile from the set of personal data of the atleast one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to be associatedwith the at least one of the plurality of users for use by at least oneprovider identified by a provider ID and receiving a request, responsiveto when the point-of-transaction terminal is coupled via a third datacommunication link to the ID instrument associated with the at least oneof the plurality of users, for at least a portion of the set of personaldata of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned usersfrom the retail point-of-transaction terminal remote from and incommunication with the computer, the request including both the personalcontrol ID of the respective user and a provider ID. Such a computerimplemented method according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention can also include the steps of providing a customized set ofidentification data based on the data profile associated with the one ofthe plurality of remotely positioned users to facilitate one or moreretail transactions, which includes the use of one or more electroniccoupons, through the retail point-of-transaction terminal, andredeeming, responsive to the customized set of identification data andcoupon data associated therewith, the one or more electronic coupons forthe one or more retail transactions. Beneficially, at least a portion ofthe coupon data can be associated with the at least one provider ofcomponents of data profiles.

Such a computer implemented method can further include the step ofreceiving via a fourth data communication link one or more coupons to beredeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at a retailpoint-of-transaction terminal. Particularly, according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, the fourth data communicationslink can include, for example, a wireless link, a wireline link, a widearea network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an opticallink, and a magnetic link. Moreover, an exemplary computer implementedmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention can furtherinclude the steps of receiving user credentials from a provider of atleast one component of the data profile, receiving coupon data from oneor more providers of components of data profiles, associating the usercredentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personalcontrol ID, processing changes, updates, and additions to the usercredentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised usercredentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale orpoint-of-transaction ready form, and updating the ID instrumentassociated with the at least one of the plurality of users with at leastone of the revised user credentials and the revised coupon data.

Moreover, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can alsoinclude a computer readable program product stored in a tangiblecomputer medium providing a customized set of identification data tofacilitate a retail transaction at a retail point-of-transactionterminal. More specifically, such a computer readable program productcan include, for example, instructions that when executed by a computercause the computer to perform the operations of receiving a set ofpersonal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users,receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality of remotelypositioned users to associate with the respective set of personal dataand an ID instrument to be associated with the at least one of theplurality of users, and receiving a request for at least a portion ofthe set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality ofremotely positioned users from the retail point-of-transaction terminalpositioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, thecomputer. Particularly, the request can include, for instance, both thepersonal control ID of the respective user and a provider ID, and theprovider ID, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, can be associated with one of, or both, a merchant or serviceprovider or at least one provider of components of data profiles.Additionally, the set of personal data can include coupon dataassociated with the one or more electronic coupons adapted to beredeemable by at least one of the plurality of users at a retailpoint-of-transaction.

Such an exemplary computer readable program product can additionalinclude instructions that when executed by the computer cause thecomputer to further perform the operations of providing a customized setof identification data responsive to a data profile derived from the setof personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotelypositioned users to facilitate one or more retail transactions, whichincludes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the retailpoint-of-transaction terminal, and redeeming, responsive to thecustomized set of identification data and the coupon data associatedtherewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more retailtransactions. Additionally, the computer readable program product canfurther include instructions that when executed by the computer causethe computer to further perform the operation of receiving, via a datacommunication link, one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at leastone of the plurality of users at the retail point-of-transactionterminal.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention a datacommunications link can include, for example, a wireless link, awireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, aradio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link. Moreover, awide area network link can include, for example, the Internet. Also ofbenefit, a personal control ID can Include a subscriber identity moduleID number associated with an ID instrument that is associated with atleast one of a plurality of users. A set of personal data can alsoinclude, for instance, a membership ID indicating that a user presentingan associated ID instrument is a member of a particular user network andis accordingly authorized to access a particular retailpoint-of-transaction terminal and user credentials associated with atleast one provider of components of data profiles. Additionally, acustomized set of identification data can also include, for example, amembership ID.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, a more particular description of theinvention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings,which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the inventionand are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scopeas it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a track layout in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a layout of the conventional ISO track diagram;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are more detailed descriptions of the track layoutunder a standard ISO-8711 standard;

FIG. 6 is a transaction flow chart of a process for associatingidentification and personal data in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a system to provide a customizedset of identification data to facilitate a transaction according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a system to provide a customizedset of identification data to facilitate a transaction according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an ID instrument to provide acustomized set of identification data to facilitate a transactionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a transaction flow chart of a process for receiving andforwarding identification and personal data according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments ofthe invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Prime notation, if used,indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Applicant has discovered that there are many instances whereby anindividual, consumer, entity, organization, etc., would find itdesirable to provide others with a secure, customized set ofidentification data that would facilitate a transaction, facilitate anevent of a specific type, or both. Using the basic principles of thepresent invention, as described in the above referenced prior filedpatent of Applicant, the process is thus described. Referring first tothe description and drawings of the above referenced patent issued toApplicant, it may be seen that FIG. 1 herein shows that an additionaltiming track 10 can be employed on a card 20 in an embodiment of thepresent invention which may be used to ameliorate the need of an opticalencoder in a device, such as the wallet consolidator, discussed above,or in other types of readers. This is provided in that most conventionalmagnetic stripe readers use a mechanical sensor or optical sensor, whichis used to detect the speed at which the magnetic stripe card is beingread through the stripe reader. By having an additional timing tracksupplied as an additional track, the inventor herein has provided ameans by which the reader can be made at a lower cost by using thetiming track herein to determine the timing arrangement. However, thisadditional timing track 10 is not necessary for the operation of thisembodiment of the present invention, and in fact, the conventionalencoding and timing mechanism are quite satisfactory.

One of the significant features of an embodiment of the presentinvention is that multiple stripes from various credit cards can be readand consolidated onto one card as is set forth in the aforementionedwallet consolidator patent application. One of the unique features ofthis embodiment of the present invention is the ability to take foreignor other sources and to add that material onto a given track on thecard. The wallet consolidator uses the individual memory chip or smartchip contained on a card to store information, however, this informationcan also be temporarily stored in the memory of a device such as thewallet consolidator and added to the magnetic stripe. One of the uniquefeatures of Applicant's invention is the use of the fact that a standardtrack of one card data format has an amount of information, which isknown as discretionary data which can be placed on any given card in anyone of the standard three tracks. By using control codes to indicatethat the track is in a different format, using these control codes to“bracket” an individual stream of data, and placing these control codesafter a standard stop sentinel on a data track, a conventional readerwould inherently ignore the information contained within this section.However, a specially constructed reader/writer would be able to lookfor, or create, these special control codes, or the software within theconventional reader could be altered so that upon recognition of thesespecial control codes, this additional information could be decoded.This allows for a “hiding” of additional information, which can beconsolidated onto a given card to be employed and used in a veryexpeditious manner. Further, it will be understood that the sentinels,described above, need not be employed to practice this embodiment of thepresent invention, and that other types of software codes can be used sothat point-of-sale (“POS”) and other point-of-transaction (POT)terminals, either as they exist today, or with custom reprogramming, canbe used to read the additional or foreign information that is to be“added” to conventional tracks. The start and stop sentinels have beendescribed herein as only an example of the types of control codes thatcan be used to bracket the foreign data that is to be added to the cardstripe. Further, a control code could be programmed into the stripe thatcan be recognized by the POS/POT reader to indicate that this is, forexample, a credit card; a second code could indicate that this is adiscount or affinity card; and yet a third code could indicate that thisis a driver's license. These codes could also be combined in variousways. Prior art systems have not used these special control codes toeffectively hide additional data on a given track. This additionalinformation can be used effectively.

This can be made more clear when one reviews FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 whichshows the significant amount of space that is available for “eitherdiscretionary data or additional data” on a given track. This isespecially true when the 210 bpi track is used. The additional eitheralpha numeric or numeric characters provide a significant amount ofspace for additional data to be placed on a given card, which has beenunavailable in prior art systems. Additionally, as the control code canbe used to effectively “shift” the track concentration from 75 to 210bpi in the middle of the track, additional information can be “hidden”and still be provided to a specially outfitted or programmed reader.Accordingly, additional data can be used and can be present on a cardwhich generally would not be readable without the proper equipment orprogramming.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a transaction flow chart of aprocess for associating identification and personal data utilizing thesystem described above with regard to FIGS. 1-5. As stated above, thereare many instances whereby an individual, consumer, entity,organization, etc, would find it desirable to provide others with asecure, customized set of identification (ID) data that would facilitatea transaction, facilitate an event of a specific type, or both.Additionally, the receiver of the data for the transaction may wish toprovide complimenting and supplemental data back to the originator ofthe transaction. All such transactions can be done in a digitized formatto be interpreted, manipulated and/or displayed on POS/POTdevices/computers both at the POS/POT and remotely. Additionally, theprocess of initializing this secure transaction would be more flexibleif the acceptors of the transaction could utilize a magnetic stripe cardthat could combine a unique identifying code with the standard ISO datafrom other completely different financial or other card's magneticallystriped data.

FIG. 6 visually illustrates an example of such a transaction as follows:

Individual A would transmit via computer/communication line, his or herpersonal data, to a remote computer, e.g., server 31, in this case, adownloaded or scanned personal image, a downloaded or read driver'slicense from a public authority, a checking account number, a creditcard, a debit card from a financial institution, and a supermarketfrequent purchaser card.

Through server prompted instructions, the individual would be asked toselect a password to protect his data, then further prompts could permithim to associate, if he so desired, certain identification and/orpurchasing (credit/debit/checking account) data with particulartransaction types, merchants, etc. In this example, individual A couldlink the image, driver's license, checking account data and frequentpurchaser card data with transactions driven by, for example, asupermarket with which individual A holds the frequent purchaser card.

When shopping at the supermarket chain, individual A could present amagnetically striped card, smartcard, or radio-frequency or infrared PDAtransmitted personal control ID number. The store POS 41 would read thedata, communicate ultimately with the central server 31, and retrieve acustomized set of identification data including the image of thepurchaser, which could be displayed on the store POS screen; and thepurchase would be confirmed with buyer and seller.

The supermarket can transmit the purchase data back to the centralserver 31 including, as an example, an electronic coupon(s) for futurepurchases. The supermarket can be empowered by the individual to alsotransmit at any time to the server 31 other coupons, discounts offers,and/or communications which could be read via the Internet or POS/POTand/or redeemed by the customer for future purposes. The supermarket canalso receive and process changes, updates, and additions with respect tothe supermarket frequent purchaser card and/or those from other serviceproviders 39. The system could be expanded to include, by way ofexamples, membership ID's admittance, hospital, medical insurance, eventticketing, and/or money transfer type of transactions. In this fashion,an individual and/or entity could minimize portability issues andfacilitate complex identification needs such as biometrics, imaging, andfingerprint technologies.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, an embodiment of the present invention caninclude a retail and/or other point-of-transaction system 30 to provideothers with a secure, customized set of identification data that wouldfacilitate a transaction, facilitate an event of a specific type, orboth, such as, for example, that related to goods, services, groceryitems, food, medical services and supplies, insurance premiums,ticketing, a money transfer, and identification services relating to aperson/customer. The system 30 can include a computer, e.g., server 31,configured to store a plurality of personal control IDs and a pluralityof sets of personal data associated therewith. A database 32 incommunication with the server 31 can provide for such storage. Note, theserver 31 shown schematically, for example, in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8,represents a server or server cluster or server farm and is not limitedto any individual physical server or computer. The number of serversalong with associated storage capacity and their architecture andconfiguration may be increased based on usage, demand, and capacityrequirements for the system 30.

The personal data can include, for example, a personal name, a personalID to be associated with the personal data, a pictorial image of theperson, personal fingerprint data, personal checking account data,driver's license data of the person, personal biometric data, a personalsocial security number, a personal ID password, a personal datapassword, credit card data, debit card data, prepaid card data, frequentpurchaser data, medical data, bank account data, investment data, coupondata, processed data, points, data based on existing personal datagenerated in response to a previous transaction, and membership IDs.This personal data can also be received from an ID provider 39associated with the user such as, for example, a public authority,financial institution, or retail establishment management center;received from the user who received it from the ID provider 39; receiveddirectly from the user; or created internally by the administrator ormaintainer of the server 31.

Each of the plurality of personal control IDs can be associated with arespective different person and with the respective set of personal dataentered into the server 31, and can be controlled by the respectivedifferent person, e.g., via a user interface device 33 or ID instrument43, such as, for example, a personal computer, personal digitalassistant (PDA), cellular telephone, or other user communication device,that is in communication with a computer and/or communication network35, e.g., the Internet, wireless, or wireline communication medium, orvia a point-of-transaction connected to either the communication network35 or a local area network 37 interfaced with the network 35 and/orserver 31.

The server 31 is also configured to store a data profile derived from aset of personal data associated with a personal control ID identifying aselected different person and assembled together by the selecteddifferent person for use by a selected one of one or more ID providers39 identified by a, provider ID. The provider ID can be used to identifya selected ID provider 39 to the server 31 to allow access thereto.Note, as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the ID providers 39including card/ID issuers can provide to the server 31 identificationdata, credit and debit card data, biometric data, and other changes,additions, and updates thereto through the communication network 35(FIGS. 7 and 8). The server 31 can be configured to receive and processsuch changes, updates, and additions to components of data profiles/setsof personal data provided by the providers/issuers. This digitized datacan be in POS/POT ready format when delivered to the server 31 or can beformatted after receipt, so that when received by the user, e.g.,downloaded via a computer, PDA, or cellular phone, the data is properlyformatted to be received and processed by a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′,described in more detail below. After processing the changes, updates,and/or additions, the server 31 can then provide the data to therespective user. Processing can include the user accessing and/ormodifying the data profile in response to the changes, updates, and/oradditions. The data can be delivered over the communication network 35and through an interface device 33 to the user's ID instrument 43 asshown, for example, in FIG. 7; directly to the ID instrument 43 ifconfigured to interface with the communication network 35 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 8; and/or through a radiofrequency server 61 for IDinstruments 43 configured to receive radio transmissions as shown, forexample, in FIG. 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as perhaps bestshown in FIG. 6, the ID providers 39 can also directly provide to theindividual users: identification data, credit and debit card data,biometric data, and changes, additions, and updates thereto. Such datacan be provided to the users, for example, directly through thecommunication network 35 to their respective ID instrument 43 ordirectly via a user interface device 33. When provided directly toeither the ID instrument 43 or user interface device 33, the data shouldbe in digitized, POS/POT ready form, so that when stored by an IDinstrument 43, the data is formatted to be readily accessed andprocessed by the POS/POT terminal 41, 41′.

In order to derive the data profile, according to an embodiment of thesystem 30, a user having a personal control ID and password accesses theserver 31 through the interface device 33, e.g., personal computer, PDA,or kiosk terminal, etc., or ID instrument 43 connected to acommunication network 35, e.g., a wide area network including theInternet. The server 31, for example, through a graphical userinterface, can present the user an ability to allow (assign) individualID providers 39 selective access to the user's other personal data,typically required by the respective ID provider 39 for identificationor authentication purposes. The server 31 can also provide the user theability to assign or cross-link other ID provider data, e.g., credit ordebit card credentials. Such assignment allows such additionalcredentials, not stored on the ID instrument 43, to be displayed uponaccess to, and authentication by, the server 31 through use of apersonal control ID or other stored credentials at a point-of-sale orother point-of-transaction in accordance with the associated dataprofile, as described previously, and as described in more detail later.Such assignment can include details about each of the ID providers 39including the provider name, location, and a date and time the providerassociated credentials are to be activated or deactivated, and/orwhether or not additional password or security data is required. Theserver 31 can also generate virtual credentials based on associationsbetween the user and one or more ID providers 39, and between IDproviders 39 including the administrator of the server 31, which canalso be an ID provider 39.

According to an embodiment of the server 31, such cross-linking canallow access to the personal data in accordance with the data profileusing the different credentials provided by different ID providers 39.For example, a vendor membership card in possession of the userpreviously configured as part of the user's personal data can allowlimited access by a vendor to other personal data identified inaccordance with a data profile such as, for example, an image of theuser, driver's license number, credit or debit card number, or otherform of identification, which can be used to allow access to venderperipheral devices such as, for example, a gate, security door,turnstile, gas pump lock, computer lock, ignition lock, and others knownto those skilled in the art. Beneficially, this can allow a singleidentification device cross-linked to credentials otherwise contained onother devices or ID instruments 43 to allow the user access to physicalfacilities such as, for example, sporting events, secure facilities,prison or hospital visitor admittance, hospital nurseries, employee onlyportions of the facility, ATM devices, and self-service devicesrequiring identification, just to name a few. This can also allow theuser access to virtual facilities such as, for example, access tomultiple credit or debit card accounts issued by different ID providers39 through use of a single issued credit or debit card, a member,employee or student ID, a driver's license, or other ID instrument 43.

The system 30 can also include multiple terminals, e.g., point-of-sale(POS) terminals 41 or other point-of-transaction (POT) terminals 41′(see FIGS. 6-8), adapted or otherwise positioned to couple to an IDinstrument 43 via a data communication link 45, e.g., a wireless link, awireline link, wide area network (WAN) link, an infrared (IR) link, aradio-frequency (RF) link, an optical link, or a magnetic link, toreceive from the ID instrument 43 the personal control ID identifyingthe selected different person. The POS/POT terminals 41, 41′ can be alsopositioned to send the personal control ID identifying the selecteddifferent person to the server 31, for example, through or via a dataprocessor 47 which can be configured to transmit transaction IDinformation containing information needed to execute the transaction,the personal control ID identifying the selected different person, andthe provider ID which can be used to identify a selected ID provider 39.

The POS/POT terminals 41, 41′ (FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 10) can include, forexample, a magnetic card reader, a smart card reader, a bar code reader,an infrared (IR) receiver, an optical scanner, a transmitter adapted fortransmitting a pre-determined signal for activating a response from anRF identification (RFID) tag 57 (see, e.g., FIG. 9) and for receiving aresponse back from the RFID tag 57, and an interface adapted forreceiving RF signals from at least one of a cell phone and an RF device.The ID instrument 43 can include a magnetically striped card, smartcard,a bar code, a gift card, an automatic teller machine (ATM) card, a checkcard, a wallet consolidator, a debit card, a credit card, a smart card,a prepaid card, a personal identification card, a driver's license, apersonal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA) adapted for radio-frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) communication, acheck, a keypad, a touch screen, a voice recognition device, aradio-frequency (RF) device including an RFID tag 57 such as a cellphone or other data communication device capable of storing andtransmitting personal data. Note, the RFID tag 57 can function as anequivalent for the magnetic stripe on various security, credit, debit,and/or gift cards, for example, but with added functionality including alarger storage capacity, faster access to the data, and generally noneed for actual physical contact with an electronic reader, e.g.,terminal 41, 41′ or interface device 33.

The server 31 correspondingly can be further configured to retrieve fromthe plurality of sets of personal data the data profile derived from theset of personal data associated with the personal control ID identifyingthe selected different person in response to receiving the personalcontrol ID, and to transmit to the data processor 47 or POS/POT terminal41, 41′ the data profile for use by the selected provider identified bythe provider ID. Beneficially, this can be accomplished for a pluralityof persons, providers, and transactions. For example, a user having atleast one ID instrument 43 associated with the user's personal data anda member of the network of users associated with the server 31 arrivesat a transaction site, e.g., convenience store gas pump, facility havinga security gate, supermarket checkout counter, etc. The user thenengages any one of the ID instruments 43 associated with the specificuser in communication with the terminal 41, i.e., the user “swipes” theID instrument 43 through a card reader portion of the terminal 41 if inthe form of a magnetic card or passes the ID instrument 43 over a nearfield transmitter if in the form of a RFID tag, for example.Identification data, e.g., personal control ID, read from the IDinstrument 43 is passed through a data processor 47 to the server 31.The server 31 uses the credentials extracted from the ID instrument 43,looks up those credentials in the database 32, and identifies the useras a member of the network of users.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the server 31 isconfigured to recognize that the personal control ID is being receivedprior to transmitting to the data processor 47 the data profile derivedfrom the set of personal data associated with the personal control IDidentifying the selected different person. The server 31 is alsoconfigured to provide the data profile to the selected provider tothereby verify the personal control ID as being associated with a use ofthe personal control ID prior to proceeding with the transaction. Forexample, if the transaction site is an unmanned facility havingperipheral devices such as a security gate or gas pump, the indicationthat the user is a member can be provided to allow unlocking of theperipheral device and/or allow for logging access to the peripheraldevice by the user. The log can include the name of the vendor,location, date, and time of the transaction, which can be maintained atthe transaction site via the data processor 47 or can be maintained atthe server site by the server 31. When maintained by the server 31, theuser can be provided access via the interface device 33, e.g., personalcomputer or PDA, or a “smart” ID instrument 43 to allow monitoring oftransactions under the user's personal control ID or other usercredentials. Note, the log function applies to both unmanned and mannedtransactions. Note also, no transaction needs to take place in order forthe server 31 to perform the log function. According to an embodiment ofthe system 30, only receipt of the personal control ID or other usercredentials by the server 31 is required.

Beneficially, such function can be applied to track access to portionsof a self-service type facility to help reduce theft and/or to improvetreatment of a facility, i.e., the user knows that the user is notanonymous but can be identified and held accountable for any damage.Such function can also be utilized with self-service devices to helpreduce theft and improve treatment of the device. For example,traditionally many gas station convenience stores enable their gasolinepumps via visual contact with the customer but without obtaining actualidentification that would be transferable to authorities should thecustomer fail to pay for the gasoline. A proprietary gas service card orthe identification data contained therein can be provided to the user.Use of a card or other ID instrument 43 containing such identificationdata can be required in order to unlock the pump if a payment card isnot to be used. Upon “swiping” the gas identification card or other IDinstrument 43, the pump terminal 41 can transmit the user credentials toa data processor 47, typically located in the convenience store, whichcan request transaction confirmation from the server 31. The server 31can perform the look-up of the user credentials and identify the user asa member of the network of users. The data processor 47 can then enableaccess to the gasoline pump responsive to the confirmation. Dependingupon the data profile and/or capability of the gasoline terminal 41, apreselected credit or debit card, in the form of the associatedtransaction information contained therein, can be displayed on outputdevice 49, e.g., video terminal, and can be virtually accessed to payfor the gasoline. Alternatively, currency, or another payment card, canbe utilized. Further, the transaction can be logged and the useridentification, provider location, and date and time of the transaction,can be associated with the logged event.

This log function can also allow the owner of the personal control ID totrack authorized or unauthorized usage including tracking the name,location, and a date and time the provider or point-of-transactionterminal requested identification confirmation. Beneficially, this canallow for automated monitoring of related persons having an IDinstrument 43 with access to the personal control ID or othercredentials of the user, and automated monitoring of the movement ofpets or possessions carrying an ID instrument 43 containing the personalcontrol ID or other credentials of the user. Beneficially, portions ofthe log can be retrieved and e-mailed or otherwise transmitted toselected e-mail addresses, e.g., law-enforcement, medical provider, etc.

If the transaction site is a manned facility, in accordance with thedata profile, the server 31 can return to a data processor 47 and/oroutput device 49 at the transaction site, e.g., video display, personaldata associated with the user, e.g., a driver's license or other ID,photograph of the user, fingerprint of the user, and/or an indicationthat the user is a member associated with credentials necessary toaccess the transaction site. The transaction site operator can then viewthe user's driver's license and photograph to allow visual confirmationthat the user is the user associated with the ID instrument 43 prior toauthorizing completion of the transaction. If the point-of-transactionis a point-of-sale, such as in this illustration, and if authorized inaccordance with the data profile, associated payment credentials, e.g.,credit or debit card information, can be displayed on the video displayto allow easy selection of the payment method.

Traditionally ID instruments 43 have been almost exclusively in the formof cards having magnetic stripes. RFID technology, however, can providefor containment of substantially more information than could otherwisebe carried by the traditional magnetic stripes. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the ID instrument 43 can be in theform of a common hand-held electronic device already in use for otherpurposes. Accordingly the ID instrument 43, e.g., a cell phone, PDA, orother similar device, can include an RFID tag or circuit 57 (FIG. 9). Amain transmitter of the device can be adapted to provide extremelyshort-range transmissions, or as shown in FIG. 9, a separate near fieldtransmitter or transceiver circuit 55 can be positioned within, oradjacent and coupled to, the ID instrument main circuitry, e.g.,processor 59, to communicate with the onboard or attached RFIDtag/circuit 57 to read data from and/or write data to the RFID tag 57.This can provide for storing, adding, or updating personal data and/orportions of the data profile or other user credentials to the IDinstrument 43. As noted previously, the data can be initially receiveddirectly from an ID provider 39 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) or through theserver 31 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 10) in POS/POT ready form. Note, thedata can be encrypted, as known and understood by those skilled in theart, when transmitted over a network 35, 37, to help ensure secureusage.

According to an embodiment of the ID instrument 43, the data can notonly be accessed for use at a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′, but the data canalso be directly or indirectly accessed by the main ID instrumentcircuitry, e.g., cell phone processor 59, near field transceiver 55, andtransmitted over a network 35, either directly or via one or moreinterface devices 33, to another user, e.g., family member or trustedindividual. Such functionality allows the other user to utilize thepersonal data and/or portions of the data profile, e.g. personal IDand/or PIN number, credit or debit card balance, etc., using thatrespective user's ID instrument 43 at a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′, tothereby complete a sale or transaction with a merchant or serviceprovider associated with the POS/POT terminal 41, 41′, and/or the IDprovider 39, or with an associated service provider such as, forexample, a separate financial institution, medical facility, securityfacility, etc. In yet another embodiment of the ID instrument 43, datasuch as the personal control ID and pin number can be encrypted andtransmitted over the network 35 directly or via one or more interfacedevices 33 to another user to allow the other user to access andretrieve at least a portion of the set of personal data and/or dataprofile from the server 31 to allow the other user to utilize thepersonal data and/or portions of the data profile using that respectiveuser's ID instrument 43 at a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′. In either ofthese embodiments, rather than transfer data directly from the IDinstrument 43, the data can be provided to the interface device 33,e.g., PDA or personal computer, if not already located thereon, andtransferred accordingly.

The system 30 can also include an output device 49 connected to orotherwise in communication with data processor 47 and/orpoint-of-transaction terminal 41′ to receive from the data processor 47the data profile received from the server 31 and to output the dataprofile to the selected provider to thereby verify the personal controlID as being associated with a user of the personal control ID at thepoint-of-transaction prior to proceeding with the transaction. Theoutput device 49 can be further configured for generating informationrelating to the selected person in response to receipt of personal dataassociated with the selected personal control ID for the purposes offacilitating the transaction and facilitating the generation oftransactional data and other customer messages via the Internet orpoint-of-transaction. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the output device 49 can be configured to generate incentivesfor making future purchases to the selected user in response to receiptof personal data related to the selected personal control ID. Theincentives can include, for example, a coupon and/or a discount offer,and the output device 49 can include, for example, a visual displaymonitor and a printer. Note, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the data processor 47, POS/POT terminal 41, 41′, and theoutput device 49 can be integrated together to constitute asubstantially integrated input/output device.

Embodiments of the present invention can also include methods of usingthe system 30 to provide a customized set of identification data tofacilitate a transaction. For example, a method can include firstpreparing the system 30 to facilitate transactions by first receiving aset of personal data of a user, requesting and/or receiving a personalcontrol ID from the user to associate with the set of personal data, andstoring the personal control ID and set of personal data in a database32 in communication with a remote computer server 31. The user canaccess the set of personal data over the communication network 35, e.g.,Internet, and derive a data profile using an interface devices 33, e.g.,a personal computer or PDA, or using the ID instrument 43, dependingupon the configuration, i.e., if capable of such communication. The dataprofile can restrict a particular ID provider to only user credentialsprovided by that ID provider or can allow access to user credentialsfrom a plurality of ID providers. After receiving or loading an IDinstrument with a personal control ID and/or personal data, the user maythen visit a point-of-sale 41 or other point-of-transaction 41′ forpurposes of conducting a transaction. As such, the method can includeacquiring the personal control ID of the user from an ID instrument 43,submitting a request to the server 31 for at least a portion of the setof personal data of the user along with both the personal control ID ofthe user and provider ID, and providing a customized set ofidentification based on a data profile derived from the set of personaldata of the user for use by the provider identified by the provider IDto identify the user. If the POS/POT terminal is associated with aperipheral device, i.e., a switch controlling hardware necessary tocomplete the transaction, the steps can include manipulating theassociated peripheral device in response to receipt of the customizedset of identification data.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, an embodiment of the method can include an IDprovider 39 providing personal data and/or a portion of the personaldata or data profile including, for example, an account number,expiration date, and/or pin number for a debit or credit card or bankaccount, security identification number for a security badge, medicalinformation, biometric information and/or other access credentialseither directly to a user ID instrument 43 or via user interface devices33 through communication network 35, for example, in digitized, POS/POTready form. Alternatively and/or additionally, as shown in FIG. 10, theaccess credentials can be provided to a computer, e.g., server 31, forlater access and/or downloading by the user. Beneficially, if the accesscredentials are not already in POS/POT ready form, the server 31 canconvert the data into such form prior to the accessing and/ordownloading by the user, e.g., owner of the credentials. Once stored inthe user ID instrument 43 in digitized, POS/POT ready form, the data canbe readily used at a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′, by the user.Additionally, the data can be forwarded to another ID instrument 43,such as, for example, one in the possession of another user, e.g.,family or trusted member, for use at a POS/POT terminal 41, 41′ by theother user.

According to an embodiment of the method, the forwarding can be eitherdirectly from the ID instrument 43 or via an associated interface device33. Beneficially, such methodology negates the need for transferringindividual identification instruments such as, for example, credit,debit, gift, or coupon cards, etc., but instead allows for the receiptof data otherwise stored on such cards. In another embodiment of themethod, if not already stored on the server 31, the owner of the usercredentials can transmit the user credentials or other personal data tothe server 31 for access by another user. In this embodiment of themethod, only basic server 31 access data need be transmitted to theother user to allow the other user to access portions of the personaldata, data profile, or other user credentials from the server 31. Suchmethodology can allow for electronically transferring funds or creditbetween users, negating any need for actual currency transfer or even anactual point-to-point connection between users.

An embodiment of the method can include providing incentives to the userfor making future purchases in response to receipt of personal datarelated to the personal control ID and/or a transaction between the userand a merchant. The incentives can include, for example, a coupon or adiscount offer. Such incentives can be associated with the personal dataof the user. Changes, updates, and additions from providers ofcomponents of data profiles can be received and processed.

Embodiments of the present invention can also include a program product51 stored in memory of the server 31 and adapted to provideidentification data to facilitate a transaction. The program product 51can include instructions to perform the operations of receiving a set ofpersonal data from a remotely positioned user, requesting and receivinga personal control ID from the user to associate with the set ofpersonal data, and storing the personal control ID and set of personaldata in a database 32 in communication with the server 31. Theoperations can also include receiving user access credentials eitherdirectly or indirectly from an ID provider 39, and associating the usercredentials with a provider ID and a personal control ID. If the set ofpersonal data, components of a data profile, or newly added, changed, orupdated components or other credentials are not already in POS/POT readyform, the server 31 can convert the data into such form prior totransmitting the data to the user, e.g., owner of the credentials. Theoperations can also include deriving a data profile from the set ofpersonal data of the user for use by an ID provider 39, e.g., and apoint-of-transaction. This can include associating components of thedata profile derived from a plurality of ID providers, e.g., multiplecredit card providers, with components provided by a single credit cardprovider. The operations can also include creating virtual credentialsor other personal data based on associations between the user and one ormore ID providers 39 and between ID providers 39 including theadministrator of the server 31 which can also be an ID provider 39.

The operations can also include receiving a request from apoint-of-transaction terminal or associated. data processor for at leasta portion of the set of personal data of the user along with both thepersonal control ID of the user and a provider ID, and providingcustomized information based on a data profile derived from the set ofpersonal data of the user for use by the provider identified by theprovider ID. Note, the memory of the server 31 can include volatile andnonvolatile memory known to those skilled in the art including, forexample, RAM, ROM, and magnetic or optical disks, just to name a few.Note also, the program product 51 can be in the form of microcode,programs, routines, and symbolic languages that provide a specific setor sets of ordered operations that control the functioning of thehardware and direct its operation, as known and understood by thoseskilled in the art.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a program product 53stored in memory of an electronic form ID instrument 43, e.g., PDA orcell phone, or interface devices 33, e.g., PDA or personal computer,adapted to provide identification data to facilitate a transaction. Theprogram product 53 can include instructions to perform the operations ofreceiving a set of data from a remotely positioned ID provider 39, forexample, an account number, expiration date, and/or pin number for adebit or credit card or bank account, security identification number fora security badge, medical information, biometric information and/orother user credentials, for example, in digitized, POS/POT ready form,either directly through a terminal associated with the ID provider 39 orthrough a communication network 35. Alternatively and/or additionally,the instructions can include those to perform the operation ofretrieving/download the user credentials from a computer, e.g., server31, having previously received such user credentials from the IDprovider 39 or from the user.

The instructions can also include those to perform the operations ofcausing the user credentials to be transmitted from a first memoryelement within the ID instrument 43 to a second memory element, e.g.,RFID tag 57. Once stored in ID instrument 43 in digitized, POS/POT readyform, the data, including the newly received user credentials and otherpersonal data and/or data profile, can be readily used at a POS/POTterminal 41, 41′ by the user or forwarded to another ID instrument 43 orinterface device 33, such as, for example, one in the possession ofanother user, e.g., family or trusted member, for use at a POS/POTterminal 41, 41,′ by the other user. That is, the instructions can alsoinclude those to perform the operation of transmitting or otherwiseforwarding the user credentials to another ID instrument 43 or interfacedevice 33.

According to an embodiment of the program product 53, the instructionscan include those to perform the operation of transmitting the newlyacquired user credentials or other personal data directly to the otherID instrument 43 over a communication network 35. In another embodimentof the program product 53, the instructions can include those to performthe operation of transmitting the newly acquired user credentials orother personal data to the server 31 for access by another user, if notalready stored on the server 31. The instructions can also include thoseto perform the operation of transmitting basic server access data to theother user directly or through the server 31 to allow the other user toaccess the data from the server 31.

According to another embodiment of the system 30, rather than utilize orsolely utilize a user selected or ID provider provided personal controlID, “smart” ID instruments 43, e.g., cell phones, PDAs, etc., canutilize other data components of the data profile to validate the user'sidentity for permission to access the data profile or can utilize asimple non-access identity in combination with device carriedcredentials, e.g., for off-line transaction purposes. For example, suchdevice carried credentials can include: a subscriber identity module(SIM) ID number present in the SIM card of the smart device and/orembedded in the firmware of the smart device; registered electronicsignatures of the various electronic components of the circuits utilizedby the model of the smart device, e.g., the manufacturer ID, make, modeland serial number; and other digitized firmware, and data that areunique to the specific smart device possessed by the owner of the dataprofile.

It is important to note that while embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in the context of a fully functional system, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanism of the presentinvention and/or aspects thereof are capable of being distributed in theform of a computer readable medium of instructions in a variety of formsfor execution on a processor, processors, or the like, and that thepresent invention applies equally regardless of the particular type ofsignal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution.Examples of computer readable media include but are not limited to:nonvolatile, hard-coded type media such as read only memories (ROMs),CD-ROMs, and DVD-ROMs, or erasable, electrically programmable read onlymemories (EEPROMs), recordable type media such as floppy disks, harddisk drives, CD-R/RWs, DVD-RAMs, DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWs, flash drives, andother newer types of memories, and transmission type media such asdigital and analog communication links.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer readablemedium that is readable by a computer, e.g., server 31, providingidentification data to facilitate a transaction can include a set ofinstructions that, when executed by the server 31, cause the server 31to perform the operations of receiving a set of personal data from aremotely positioned user, requesting and receiving a personal control IDfrom the user to associate with the set of personal data, and storingthe personal control ID and set of personal data in a database 32 incommunication with the server 31. The operations can also includereceiving from a point-of-sale 41 or other point-of-transaction terminal41′, or associated data processor 47, a request for at least a portionof the set of personal data of the user along with both the personalcontrol ID of the user and a provider ID, and providing customizedinformation based on a data profile derived from the set of personaldata of the user for use by the provider identified by the provider ID,for example, in identifying the user, verifying the identity of theuser, and supplementing additional transactional information beyond thatstored on the ID instrument, just to name a few. According to anembodiment of the present invention, instructions can also include thoseto perform the operations of providing incentives to the user for makingfuture purchases in response to receipt of personal data related to thepersonal control ID and/or a transaction between the user and amerchant, and receiving and processing changes, updates, and additionsfrom providers of components of data profiles.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer readablemedium that is readable by at least one processor, e.g., that associatedwith server 31, ID provider 39, and/or one or more ID instrumentprocessors 59, can include a set of instructions that, when executed bythe at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to performthe operations of providing user credentials to a first user by an IDprovider 39 and storing the user credentials in the memory of a first IDinstrument 43. The user credentials can include, for example, an accountnumber, expiration date, pin number for a debit card, pin number for acredit card, pin number for a bank account, security identificationnumber for a security badge, and biometric information. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the user credentials can beprovided directly to the first ID instrument 43 through a communicationnetwork 35, 37, in digitized, point-of-sale or point-of-transactionready form. According to another embodiment of the present invention,the user credentials are first provided to a computer, e.g., server 31,for later access by the first user, If the user credentials are not inpoint-of-sale or other point-of-transaction ready form, the server 31can convert the user credentials thereto prior to the accessing by thefirst user. The instructions can also include those to perform theoperation of making the data available to the user to allow the user toform a data profile indicating provider access attributes. This caninclude associating user credentials from a plurality of ID providers39, i.e., portions of the set of personal data, with user credentialsprovided by a single ID provider 39 to allow access of components of thedata profile attributable to the plurality of ID providers 39 using asingle ID instrument 43 associated with one of the ID providers 39.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the instructionscan include those to perform the operation of forwarding the usercredentials from the first ID instrument 43 to a second ID instrument 43in the possession of a second user to thereby allow for receipt of dataotherwise stored on the first ID instrument 43. The operation offorwarding can include transmitting the user credentials or otherpersonal data by the first user via the first ID instrument 43 to thesecond user via the second ID instrument 43 and/or interface device 33.According to another embodiment of the present invention, the operationof forwarding can include transmitting the user credentials or otherpersonal data by the first user to a computer, e.g., server 31, foraccess by the second user. Alternatively, the operation of forwardingcan include transmitting only basic access data to the second user toallow the second user to access the data from the computer. In eithermethodology, the user credentials or other personal data can betransmitted to the second user to allow the second user to accesselectronic currency associated with the first user, to thereby transferelectronic currency between the first and the second users, negating anyneed for actual currency transfer.

This Application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/359,927, filed on Jan. 26, 2009, For which a notice of allowance hasbeen issued, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/929,592, filed on Oct.30, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,886, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/394,314, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,312, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/130,765, filed on May 17, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,083,087, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/052,405, filedJan. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,821, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/664,205, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,029,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/618,407, filed on Jul. 18, 2000, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,293,462, and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/087,193, filedon May 29, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,811, all incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typicalpreferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth inthe following claims. The invention has been described in considerabledetail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification. For example, the system and methods weredescribed with respect to point-of-sale or other point-of-transactionterminals in concert with an ID instrument possessed by a user. Suchsystem, however, can be applied to inanimate objects or animals. Forexample, the ID instrument can be connected to an article of clothing,personal articles or belongings being worn or carried, baggage, or anarticle being shipped, to allow such item to be properly directed orallow entry thereof. Also, for example, the ID instrument can beimplanted in or carried by an animal to allow access through, e.g., a“doggie door” or other restricted access medium.

1. A method of processing electronic coupons, the method comprising:receiving coupon data from a merchant; receiving identification datafrom a user; associating the identification data with the coupon data;electronically transferring the coupon data, as an electronic coupon, tothe user in a format that is readable by a POS terminal at a merchantlocation; receiving from the merchant an indication that a user seeks toredeem the electronic coupon; verifying the electronic coupon is valid;sending to the merchant authorization to redeem the coupon; and sendingto the merchant at least a portion of the identification data.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically transferring thecoupon data comprises downloading the coupon data to a cellulartelephone.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronicallytransferring the coupon data comprises downloading the data in a formatthat can be read by a bar code scanner.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the identification data includes a user's name and a user'spersonal ID.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electronicallytransferring the coupon data to the user in a format that is readable bya POS terminal at the merchant location comprises displaying the coupondata in a bar code readable format.
 6. A method of processing electroniccoupons, the method comprising: receiving coupon data from a merchant;receiving identification data from a user, wherein the identificationdata includes a user's name, a user's personal ID, and a membership IDassociating the identification data with the coupon data; electronicallytransferring the coupon data, as an electronic coupon, to a cellulartelephone of the user in a format that is readable by a bar code scannerat a POS terminal at a merchant location; receiving from the merchant anindication that a user seeks to redeem the electronic coupon; verifyingthe electronic coupon is valid; sending to the merchant authorization toredeem the coupon; and sending to the merchant at least a portion of theidentification data.
 7. A system for processing electronic couponscomprising: a database configured to store coupon data of a merchantthat is associated with a data profile of a user, the data profileincluding personal data of the user; and a server configured to accessthe database and configured to be accessible over a communicationsnetwork, the server running instructions to upload the coupon data tothe user in a format that is readable by a point-of-transaction terminalat a merchant location; receive from a merchant an indication that theuser desires to redeem the coupon; and provide to the merchantconfirmation to redeem the coupon based at least in part upon the userdata associated with the coupon data.
 8. The system of claim 7 furtherincluding instructions to: provide to the merchant at least a portion ofthe data profile.
 9. The system of claim 7 wherein the data profileincludes personal identification data and personal financial data. 10.The system of claim 9 wherein the personal financial data includes dataselected from the group consisting of credit card data, prepaid carddata, debit card data, frequent purchaser data, bank account data, andcombinations of the above.
 11. The system of claim 7 wherein the serveris maintained by the merchant.
 12. The system of claim 7 wherein thedata profile further includes data generated in response to previoustransactions by the user.